Kim Davis stood her ground.

Now she’s paying the penalty.

For those of you that have been in hibernation in a cave without cable, Kim Davis is the Rowan County, Kentucky court clerk that has been refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay and straight couples because of her religious beliefs. She thumbed her nose at the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage and to that end, refused to issue licenses to anyone, gay or straight.

Davis cited “God’s authority” and her lawyers have filed several appeals, all of which lost. United States District Court Judge David Bunning (appointed to the bench by George W. Bush) did not find that she had a valid argument because she openly ignored a court order, which means that she was bound by law to perform her duties as county clerk as well as follow the law.

She said no.

Now she sits in a jail cell until she does comply.

Ms. Davis, maybe you weren’t paying attention in Sunday school but there was this fellow named Paul, who talked about obedience to civil law. Paul tells the church that we are bound by not only God’s law, we are bound by civil law. In Romans 13:1-7, Paul writes (and he’s very specific) “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, the person who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

Davis, in tears, said on the stand that she could not comply with the judge’s order. U.S. Marshals later took her into custody and as she was being led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Davis said, “Thank you, judge.”

Ms. Davis, perhaps it’s time you found another job, something that doesn’t pit the professional against your religious beliefs. You are elected by the people of the your county, which means that you’re not entitled to keep your post and refuse to do your duty. It doesn’t work that way. You can either comply with the law of the land and get out of the slammer or you can stay there and have your little fit. Understand this, Ms. Davis. You’re hurting those that want a license, regardless of their sexual orientation, which means that they have to pay for that license, which means that your county will not get that revenue. You can do what’s right, not what’s popular. You can’t do both. Judges don’t like it when you thumb your nose at their authority. You may not like what SCOTUS did but it is the law of the land and as Paul said, you need to recognize it. You don’t have to like but you do have to follow it.

Ms. Davis, it’s time to listen to Paul’s advice. Granted, it’s a little over 2,000 years old but it applies today. It’s also time to do you due diligence to the people that elected you. You don’t have to agree with SCOTUS or anyone that wants a license, be they gay or straight.

It’s time to listen to your better angels.
Kim Davis sits in a jail cell, in a jailhouse jumpsuit (where Orange is the new black). She tried to have her cake and eat it too. Ms. Davis, you can still have your belief system but as an elected official, you took an oath to follow the law. Listen to Paul’s message.

Then listen to your better angels.